Work was done, but no final inspection
The contractor may have finished the job, but the final inspection was never scheduled or passed.
Learning Center
What Happens When a Property Has Open Permits?
An open permit means work was approved, started, or recorded with a building department, but the permit has not been fully closed in the records.
That does not always mean the work was never done. It may mean the final inspection, paperwork, contractor step, or city/county update was never completed.
Start with the records
An open permit is an unfinished item in the permit record.
Think of it like a checklist item that never got marked complete. The work may have involved a roof, windows, electrical work, plumbing, air conditioning, additions, demolition, or repairs.
Sometimes the owner does not know the permit exists until a buyer, title company, lender, insurance company, city, or county asks about it.
Trust first
Don't take our word for it - verify the permit status through official government records.
Permit records can be checked through the proper county or city building department. If the property is inside a city, county records may not be enough.
Why permits stay open
A permit may remain open for many reasons.
Open permits can happen even when nobody was trying to hide anything. The problem may be old, forgotten, or connected to a prior owner.
The owner passed away
If the owner died, family members may not know about old work, permits, inspections, or city records.
The property became vacant
Vacant homes can sit for years while permit issues, repairs, taxes, or code items keep growing in the background.
The contractor disappeared
A contractor may have stopped communicating, closed the business, or failed to finish inspections or paperwork.
Work was never finished
Some permits stay open because the project was partly completed and then abandoned.
Records moved between agencies
In some areas, a city or county record may need extra review to understand which department handles the issue.
Selling or closing
How can open permits affect a sale?
An open permit may raise questions before closing because someone wants to know if the work was completed safely and properly.
A title company, buyer, lender, insurer, city, or county may ask for more information. They may want to know what work was permitted, whether inspections were completed, and whether anything still needs to be corrected.
The solution depends on the permit, the jurisdiction, the inspections, the age of the work, and the current condition of the property. Do not assume every old permit can simply be closed.
Related articles: What If the Title Company Says the Property Cannot Close? and What Happens When Code Violations and Fines Keep Growing?
Practical next steps
What May Be Needed to Close an Open Permit?
The building department can usually explain what the record shows and what may be needed next. Depending on the permit and location, the owner may need to:
- Confirm the permit status
- Determine what work was permitted
- Determine whether required inspections were completed
- Schedule remaining inspections
- Provide documents
- Hire a licensed contractor where required
- Apply for a new or corrective permit if required
- Contact the building department for instructions
Some permit issues are simple. Others can be expensive, slow, or tied to repair work, title questions, code violations, or missing paperwork.
Official County Resources
Verify It Through Official County Records
Use official government sources first. County systems and city systems may be different. If the property is inside a city, you may need to contact that city's building department directly.
Miami-Dade County
Miami-Dade offers building and permit resources, permit-related online services, regulation case searches, and information about open or expired permit searches for certain properties.
Broward County
Broward County has permit and property research resources, but many properties are handled by the individual city where the property is located.
Palm Beach County
Palm Beach County provides search services for fines, liens, open building permits, and open code violations for unincorporated Palm Beach County. City properties may require city records.
Important
County records may not be enough if the property is inside a city.
You may need to check the specific city building department, such as Miami, North Miami, Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, West Palm Beach, or another municipality depending on where the property is located.
Do not treat one city's process as a countywide rule. Ask the correct building department what applies to that property.
If You Want to Keep the Property
Find out what the permit record is asking for.
If you want to keep the property, start by asking the proper building department what is still open and what steps may be needed.
You may need to gather permit numbers, inspection history, contractor information, photos, plans, repair records, or proof of completed work. You may also need a licensed contractor, title company, attorney, or other qualified professional depending on the issue.
For more general resources, visit our Florida Seller Resources page.
Go one step at a time
Ask what department controls the permit.
The right answer may come from the city, county, building department, code department, or another office. Location matters.
If it is too much
Blueston may evaluate an as-is purchase.
If the proper owners or authorized parties decide to sell under a written agreement, Blueston may evaluate whether an as-is purchase makes sense.
If You Want to Sell the Property As-Is
Selling may be one possible path.
Some owners do not want to handle inspections, contractors, corrective permits, repair work, code issues, title questions, or city/county coordination themselves.
Blueston may take on the time, expense, coordination, and risk involved in working through difficult property issues if the property and numbers make sense. We do not promise that every permit can be closed or that every property can close.
Related pages: Can I Sell a House With Open Permits? and Title and Property Issues.
How Blueston may help
We start with the problem, not the sale.
Blueston Solutions helps families understand what appears to be wrong, coordinates next steps where appropriate, and evaluates whether acquiring the property makes sense.
We do not provide legal advice. We do not decide what a city or county will require. We do not guarantee permits can be closed, liens can be removed, or the property can close.
Open permit showing?
Tell us what the record says.
Want to learn about your options? Call or text 786-226-8472 or click Tell Us What's Going On.